Health Protection

The Health Protection Service plays an important role in keeping people in Northern Ireland safe from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. We do this through:

  • monitoring and tracking disease and public health threats,
  • providing advice and support to health professionals,
  • delivering education, training and research to strengthen health protection.

Who delivers the service?

Our team is made up of The Health Protection Service is provided by a multi-disciplinary team, including:

  • doctors and nurses,
  • scientists and disease surveillance specialists,
  • emergency planners,
  • administrative and support staff.

Together, we work to detect, manage, and prevent health risks to the public.

Contacting the Health protection duty room: 

  • Location: Public Health Agency, Linenhall Street, Belfast.
  • Who should contact us: Health professionals and agencies dealing with health protection incidents or queries during working hours. Our consultant-led teams are your first point of contact during the working day. They respond to health protection incidents and lead on public health priorities, with surge support from staff across the Public Health Agency during major incidents.
  • If you have an urgent health protection concern, please contact the Health Protection Service directly.

What we cover:

  • Antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections
  • Emergency preparedness and response
  • Respiratory infection control
  • Infectious disease management
  • Surveillance and outbreak detection
  • Immunisation and vaccine advice
  • Travel health advice